Rochester, Ill., linebacker Garret Dooley knew that he wanted to make his college commitment before his senior year of high school. He thought announcing his decision early in the process would take some of the pressure off of him, and help him focus on having a great senior season.

But even though Dooley knew he wanted to make his decision early, the actual timing of his commitment to Wisconsin caught him off guard. It all started when a family friend told Dooley than another linebacker had committed to the Badgers for their 2013 signing class.

"I knew that there was going to be only one spot available for linebackers, but he told me that he thought another linebacker had already committed," Dooley told BadgerBlitz.com Monday night. "I kinda started to freak out because at that point Wisconsin was my number one school, and just the thought of the opportunity being gone like that but then they looked more into it and it was really a linebacker from last year that committed.

"But at that point in time I knew that Wisconsin was my school."

But ever since then when Dooley committed to the Badgers in late February, things have quieted down for the 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker as he prepares for his senior year of high school.

"It's been going wonderfully," Dooley said. "I haven't had to deal with any of the pressure of the whole recruiting process since I already know where I'm going. It just makes the whole thing simpler, and football is coming up here soon so all I have to do is focus on my senior year."

And while Dooley gave his commitment to the Badgers a little earlier than even he expected, it definitely seems like Wisconsin made a good impression on him from the start.

"Definitely the atmosphere (was good)," Dooley said. "I really like the city I mean it's gorgeous there. And I could really see myself living there. And since I got to see a practice there I really liked the intensity and how they worked hard."